Post by CHRISTIAN BINNIE on Jun 7, 2012 13:18:17 GMT -5

I dont even think that is human steroids he is taking. He looks like he is taking elephant steroids. This has to be the strangest body type i have seen. Why would he do this to gis body? Not only is it exremely unhealthy it is very dangerous and looks horrible.

First..you think MAYBE it is photoshoped?

2nd.. MAYBE not, SOME (mostly Europeans) will train specifically for "armwrestling"...Hence, certain bodyparts ( those specifically USED for "armwrestling) will get out of proportion then others.....

Post by John Wilson on Jun 7, 2012 14:48:24 GMT -5

He looks like Sponge Bob with blow up arms. yea it was an episode on the show.

One of the best episodes ever!

I can't figure out if Arsen's hands have magically thickened up to three times their normal size, or if this is an effect of using a small-sensor camera with a wide angle lens. It appears his hands and arms are much closer to the camera than his body, which might explain why some of us believe he has undergone some physical transformation.

He did not look like this two years ago in Istanbul. He face is different, his hands are way different. I'm not talking about the muscles size, I'm saying his entire looks have changed. Again, maybe it's the lens.

Post by A L L E N F I S H E R on Jun 7, 2012 15:02:36 GMT -5

The majority of Americans in the Sport of Professional Arm Wrestling are not chemically filled monsters using human enhancing substances. Sad to say there are have been some in our Country.The beautiful part is, we have taken on those users and achieved championship status so many times and will continue to do so, because we are Americans. We think, live and act differently, we are Americans.Would they (the users) be able to destroy their competitors the way the have or win world titles if they were naturally strong? We all know the cheating that takes place, just so Countries can claim they have the best. How does this represent our Sport? Look at Lance Armstrong and what has happen to him. He lost everything he became and just yesterday lost his major sponsors.They all should be banned. Have them go through a complete detox period and allow them to come back in our Sport to compete without the aid of enhancing substances. They ought to be have stripped of any titles or honorary status they have stolen away from those who deserve them, like they have done with so many Professional Athletes.I don't know what the majority of you think, but I wouldn't have them as my mentor, coach or a representative of what the Sport of Arm Wrestling is all about. I have lost respect for these people, not that I had any anyway.

Post by Michael Bluth on Jun 7, 2012 15:19:41 GMT -5

I can understand why everyone is up in arms that steroid use plays such a big role at the elite level of our sport. That being said, I think it is just something we all have to deal with. Steroid use is prevalent in every strength sport. From powerlifting, to World's Strongest Man, to armwrestling, they are all "strength sports" so people are going to do whatever it takes to be the strongest. I haven't been involved in the sport very long but I have already met a number of amateurs that have taken them. I am not advocating for their use, but I won't ever complain that I lost unfairly because my opponent was juicing. When it comes down to it, most of us are looking for an edge through synthetic supplement use i.e. test boosters, creatines, N.O. etc. Some guys are just willing to take it to the next level with HGH and steroids. Until it is officially illegal in the sport, we can't really complain.

(This post was in no way written in response to anyone else's post. It has simply been on my mind for awhile now and thought this was a good opportunity to share)

Post by Michael Bluth on Jun 7, 2012 16:14:35 GMT -5

Well i think that is debatable seeing as how richard lupkes has been using them his whole career. I watched the 86 nationals not too long ago and some of the heavy weights sure looked like they were on them but i wouldn't know for sure. I was born in 86 lol

Post by Guest on Jun 7, 2012 16:21:24 GMT -5

Not being a jerk Michael but do some research and you'll find substantially more natural than not. John, Allen, Cobra, Travis Baldwin, Dave Patton, Dave Hicks, Vern Martel, Engin, ect, ect. Even ones that used weren't at the level of abuse that is obvious today.

Post by John Wilson on Jun 7, 2012 16:56:50 GMT -5

Yes, Kyle- that's true about most people in the sport (historically) being natural. But Michael has a good point. The reality is that steroids / HGH have been very prevalent on the World level for many years. The WAF drug testing is a very recent thing, and they didn't do it for nothing.

I agree with Michael that the cat is out of the bag and it's never going back into the bag. Our sport will follow every other strength sport where using drugs is simply the cost of admission. I hate it, but it's the truth. The Elite Level will become a playground for only those who are willing to cross any line put in front of them.

I think that drug use can be limited to some degree on a National level, and maybe somewhat at Worlds, but for PRO events it will become a pure circus freak show.

Post by Michael Bluth on Jun 7, 2012 20:34:35 GMT -5

Not being a jerk Michael but do some research and you'll find substantially more natural than not. John, Allen, Cobra, Travis Baldwin, Dave Patton, Dave Hicks, Vern Martel, Engin, ect, ect. Even ones that used weren't at the level of abuse that is obvious today.

Oh no I agree that many of the greats, maybe the majority, have made it without drugs. But I agree with John. If this sport is going to become as big as we all hope, competition will only get more and more intense which will lead to greater extremes in diet and training.

Post by Nate Gagnon on Jun 7, 2012 22:45:49 GMT -5

Post by Brent Norris on Jun 8, 2012 0:30:36 GMT -5

The way I look at it is a heart of a champion cares about its vessel (your body and it's future.) I guess some may debate whether using is bad for your health or not but, most would agree it's not healthy. My goal is to win a WAF title and I think I can do it without juicing. I haven't trained my hardest for more than a month or two, yet. Maybe it's not whether you make it to the top but, how long you can stay there..

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